13:46 AEDT Mon 15 Mar 2004
From NINEMSN
Australian pilot shot dead in PNG
An Australian pilot has been shot dead by criminals in the highlands of Papua New Guinea.
Local media said Captain Alan Mourilyan was held-up at an ATM in Mount Hagen soon after he flew an Airlines PNG aircraft in from Cairns on Sunday morning.
Police told The National newspaper that two thugs, one armed with a pistol, set upon Captain Mourilyan's car after he emerged from the ATM booth.
Local police confirmed the details surrounding murder and the victim's name
They said the pilot gave a 50 kina ($20) note to the bandits but they demanded more.
The pilot then told them he had no more money and started his car engine, but they shot him in the chest.
An eyewitness said a bystander jumped in the car and drove Captain Mourilyan to hospital but he soon died of blood loss.
The newspaper, which also spoke with the victim's co-pilot, said Captain Mourilyan's wife and two children in Australia had been informed of the tragedy.
Police in Mount Hagen said they arrested an armed man believed to be the killer.
İAAP 2004